SIS Summer Cello Camp - The Suzuki Institute of Seattle

Hi cellists! We are excited to host our 5th annual SIS Summer Cello Camp from July 20-24, 2026 at Our Redeemers Church in Ballard.

Campers will meet each morning from 9am – 12pm, and camp will culminate in a celebration concert on Friday the 24th from 12 – 1pm.
Classes will include all group warmups, technique, music history, music theory and cello ensembles.
Advanced students will also learn standard orchestral excerpts and participate in a mock audition on Friday morning.
Joining our SIS Cello Faculty are is our fabulous guest teacher, Luis Mercado from NYC. Read more about the faculty below.
This is a camp for youth of all ages and experience levels to give everyone a fun positive cello boost in the middle of the summer. After registration you will receive more info on suggested items to bring to camp.

Camp cost is $350 + tax for the week. Please email any questions to kevinleifermancello@gmail.com.

Cancellation with full refund available until June 1st. Any cancellations after June 1st are not eligible for a refund.

Registration for the Summer 2026 Cello Camp is currently at capacity. Please email Kevin Leiferman in order to be placed upon the waitlist.

Faculty

Cellist Dr. Michael King is a native of Spartanburg, SC. Michael has performed both solo and chamber music across the US as part of the Oregano String Quartet and the Mordecai Cello Quartet. He received a BM in Music Performance from the University of South Carolina where he was awarded the Cello Fund Award, an MM in Music Performance from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, a Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy from The University of Denver where he was the teaching assistant to Richard Slavich and a DMA from the University of Washington where he was the teaching assistant to Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir. He has attended summer festivals such as the National Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and The Meadowmount School for Strings. His teachers include Robert Jesselson, Brooks Whitehouse, Melissa Kraut, Richard Slavich, Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir, and Carol Tarr.

Cellist Kevin Leiferman grew up in Billings MT and went on to receive a BM Performance from the University of Montana, an MM Performance from Miami University, and Certificates in Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the University of Denver. His primary teachers have included Dr. Nancy Critelli, Fern Glass-Boyd, Pansy Chang, Richard Slavich, Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir and Carol Tarr. Kevin is freelance cellist in the greater Seattle area, a regular member of the North Corner Chamber Orchestra(NOCCO), a member of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and also regularly coaches sectionals for Seattle Area Schools. Kevin is a passionate educator who has been praised for his patience and the fun atmosphere that he sets in his studio.

Puerto Rican-American cellist Luis Mercado is enjoying his 10th year teaching and playing in New York City. Luis has been on the cello faculties of the Third Street Music School Settlement, NYU, Abrons Arts Center, and the University of South Carolina. As a Suzuki-trained teacher and member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and American String Teachers Association, he is committed to providing affordable, inclusive, and fun music education to students of all ages. Luis performs contemporary classical music with the NYsoundCircuit, and serves on the board of the Queer Urban Orchestra. B.M. University of South Carolina, M.M. NYU.

Isabella Kodama is a cellist native to the Seattle area. She regularly performs with local orchestras, including the Lake Washington and Federal Way Symphonies. Isabella earned her Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Washington, where she studied with cellist Saeunn Thorsteinsdottir. She later earned her Master of Music in Cello Performance and Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy from the University of Denver. During her graduate work, Isabella held a teaching assistant position with her cello professor, Matthew Zalkind and studied Suzuki Pedagogy with Heather Hadley. In Colorado, she taught cello at the Boulder Suzuki School and at Englewood Arts. Isabella is an avid chamber musician and has attended festivals such as the Decoda Summer Chamber Music Institute, International Festival of the Adriatic and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. A passionate educator, Isabella continues to teach out of her private cello studio in Seattle as well as in the Seattle Youth Symphony programs.